Lord Charles Ross appointed new ATP Director-General
Tuesday 1st June saw a new Director-General appointed to run Austenasian Television Productions (ATP). Lord Charles Ross, Duke of Occidentia was appointed to the position on Tuesday by Emperor Jonathan I. His Imperial Majesty had served as Director-General himself since founding ATP in December 2008. ATP functions as Austenasia’s national public service broadcaster. Roughly analogous to the BBC, ATP is supported and promoted by the government but not controlled editorially. Lord Ross has experience in journalism, broadcasting, and video production, and will be looking to create a regularly published series of Austenasian news videos. He gave the following statement to the Times: “I’m proud to announce that with the Emperor‘s blessing I’ve taken over the reins of Austenasian television as the new Director-General. With this I plan a complete revamp of our nation’s broadcasting system. As well as a revamp of existing systems, I plan to also bring in new mediums to promote and spread broadcasting throughout the Empire. I will work with the governors of Austenasia’s territories and dependencies to create their own local media outlets and YouTube pages, and will also work on creating a regularly broadcasted Austenasian video news program airing Empire-wide stories from around our Empire. I see this as an extraordinary opportunity and thank the Emperor and all subjects of the Empire for placing their trust in me. I hope to serve everyone well!” Lord Ross previously served as Governor and then Governing Commissioner of Bregusland.
Emperor Father named Pater Patriae on 60th birthday
In celebration of his sixtieth birthday, HIH Emperor Father Terry has been granted the unprecedented title of Pater Patriae by His Imperial Majesty the Emperor. Jonathan I announced the bestowing of the title with the publication of an Imperial Edict this morning. Pater Patriae, which literally translates to “Father of the Fatherland”, was a title originally conferred by the Roman Senate to individuals considered successors of Romulus. In recent centuries, the title has been used more widely to refer to the founding fathers of a country. For Emperor Father Terry, the title will be translated “Father of the Nation.” The unique honour was presented as a birthday present from the Emperor and People of Austenasia as a whole. As such, supporting the Emperor’s decision to grant the title were the Prime Minister, the Consuls, and a vote of the House of Representatives. The Imperial Edict conferred the title “in grateful recognition of his role as Father of the Nation as de facto co-Founder, first Emperor of Austenasia, and Head of the Ancient and Imperial House of Austen in addition to his other contributions towards the country.”
New Rushymian Vizier appointed
The first Vizier of Rushymia to hold effective power in almost twenty one years was appointed earlier today. Rushymia is an Austenasian Crown Dependency situated just under a mile from Wrythe. Rushymia was originally founded in 1995 as a micronation based in a local school playground before falling inactive in 2000. The legal right to the Rushymian crown was obtained by the Austenasian Throne in 2010, and retained in a titular capacity before the kingdom was re-established in August 2018 on its current site. The Vizier of Rushymia serves as the deputy and viceroy of the King. Although the office was bestowed by the Emperors as a ceremonial title prior to Rushymia’s re-founding, the last person to hold the position in an effective capacity was the former King Billy of Rushymia, who served as Vizier to his successor King Alex during the 1999-2000 academic year. The new Vizier of Rushymia is one Fabian Sabong, who lives nearby to the new site of Rushymia. He will act as viceroy for Jonathan I and help to administer Rushymia in person.
Third confirmed coronavirus case amongst Austenasian population
A third Austenasian subject has tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus. The two other infected Austenasians – one reported in December 2020 and another in February 2021 – both made a full recovery. Meanwhile, the number of Austenasians vaccinated against coronavirus continues to grow. Emperor Father Terry was vaccinated on 12 March last month, and Emperor Mother Margaret on 10 February. The Austenasian Times has not received permission to publicise the name of the most recently infected subject, but can confirm that they are a non-residential subject, hence posing no direct threat of infection to inhabited Austenasian land claims. UPDATE 13 APRIL 17:05 – The Austenasian Times is pleased to report that the infected subject has now recovered from the symptoms of coronavirus.
Pontunia downsized with cession of claims
Pontunia, Austenasia’s most populated land claim, has been “streamlined” into New Pontunia with the cession of much of its land area and some of its population. Pontunia, which had functioned as an independent micronation for nine months prior to its annexation by Austenasia in October last year, had been comprised of twenty three people living in thirteen houses, with two public parks also claimed. Despite being annexed as a Crown Dependency – giving its leader, Duke Andrew, a completely autonomous local administration – concerns within Cabinet have often been raised over the stability of Pontunia. In one occasion in early December, the Duke led a force of Pontunian knights to apprehend and arrest a group of his citizens after they rebelled against his rule. Embarrassment was also caused for the Empire on the international stage after the Duke – eager to play an active role in diplomatic affairs – repeatedly attempted to apply for membership in international organisations such as the Grand Unified Micronational on behalf of Pontunia, despite it being made clear by said organisations that as a constituent part of Austenasia, it was ineligible. After consultation between Emperor Jonathan I and Duke Andrew, an Act of Parliament was therefore passed yesterday which has reduced Pontunia to a more “manageable” size. Austenasia has relinquished sovereignty over four houses containing those least happy with Austenasian rule, as well as the two public parks (one of which was over 147 acres and unable to be realistically governed by Pontunia). These properties have been claimed by the Duke as a new, independent Duchy of Pontunia, enabling him to take an active part in foreign affairs as per his wishes and to deal with his more troublesome followers outside of Austenasia’s jurisdiction. To avoid confusion, the original polity – retaining Duke Andrew as Governing Commissioner, but now much smaller in size – will from now on be referred to as New Pontunia. The downsizing of New Pontunia has reduced the Austenasian population by eight people, down to one hundred and thirteen.
Second confirmed case of COVID-19 in Austenasia
A second Austenasian subject has tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus. The subject, who has asked to remain anonymous, has only mild symptoms and is not expected to be at any risk of serious harm. The first case of COVID-19 in the Austenasian population was confirmed in December.
Large new Territory brings hope of gold deposits
Golcondiaurum, an 80.44 acre uninhabited piece of land bordered by Nevada, was annexed as an Austenasian Territory on Sunday 24th. The new Territory was claimed for the Empire by its owner, Lord Michael Simpson. Lord Simpson has been appointed Governor of Golcondiaurum. He already serves as Governor of Florencium Carolina and of Elliessium Colorandum, two other uninhabited areas of land also owned and claimed by him. The annexation of Golcondiaurum is of particular interest due to the high possibility of gold deposits on the land. Geological surveys and soil testing to ascertain whether such gold deposits are present have been planned by Lord Simpson for the near future.
Ministry of Territories and the Diaspora established
Tuesday 19th January saw a new Cabinet Ministry created by Parliament to enable greater political participation for non-residential subjects and for the governors of uninhabited territories. Out of Austenasia’s population of one hundred and twenty one, only eighty five live in Austenasia itself. The other thirty six, known as non-residential subjects, form an Austenasian diaspora the majority of whom live in the United Kingdom, USA, Greece, and New Virginia. Given non-residential subjects do not live in a Town, they are not represented in Parliament. Their comparatively limited ability to have their voices heard has been noted before, but Emperor Jonathan I and PM Lord John Gordon agreed to enact concrete steps towards enabling their greater political participation. The newly-established Ministry of Territories and the Diaspora has therefore been tasked with creating a group for non-residential subjects which will allow them to have a greater involvement in Austenasian politics and culture. The exact form this group will take and the time-frame for its creation have not yet been confirmed, but membership will be voluntary. The new ministry has also been given the responsibility of “relaying to Cabinet the concerns, requests or opinions of Governors”, that is, the officials that administer uninhabited Austenasian land claims, who have prior to this not automatically had any official means of having their voices heard in lawmaking or policy. Lord Andrew Creed has been appointed the first Minister of Territories and the Diaspora. He is Austenasia’s longest serving Governor, having administered Corinium Terentium since December 2013.
New territory annexed in Australia
Earlier this week saw a new Territory claimed by the Empire of Austenasia in Australia. The new land claim, Western Jarrahview, is comprised of an uninhabited roughly 155,000 square foot wooded area. The area was claimed by the now Lord Daniel Roscoe, who has been appointed Governor of the new territory. An Imperial Decree accepting the claim and officially annexing Western Jarrahview was promulgated by Emperor Jonathan I on the evening of January 5th. However, with the difference in time zones, this was past midnight on January 6th in Western Jarrahview, which will be considered its official date of foundation. Western Jarrahview is only the second land claim of Austenasia in Australia, or in Oceania as a whole. The first, New South Scotland, became an Austenasian Crown Dependency in January 2013.
Princess Hannah and Bradley of Dullahan named Consuls of 2021
Lord John Gordon has named the first Consuls of his premiership, announcing that Princess Hannah and Bradley, Duke of Dullahan will hold the office for 2021. The Consuls are the highest judicial authorities in the Empire, passing sentence when guilty verdicts are reached. However, due to Austenasia’s practically non-existent crime rate, their function is mostly ceremonial, primarily being used to name the year. 2021 will therefore be known as the year of the consulship of Hannah Augusta and Bradley Archidux Saxoniae. Princess Hannah also served as Consul last year, becoming one of only three people to have held the Austenasian Consulate consecutively since its creation at the start of 2011. A Consul may serve two consecutive terms, but the same two Consuls cannot serve consecutive terms at the same time. Princess Hannah, in addition to being sovereign monarch of the Principality of Wildflower Meadows, is the fiancée and official consort of Emperor Jonathan I. Bradley, who was recently appointed Archduke of Saxony in the Holy Roman Empire, in addition to his role as Prime Minister of Wyvern also serves in Austenasia as Princeps Senatus (leader of the Senate) and has held office as both Home Secretary and Minister of Defence. Happy New Year from the Austenasian Times!
